Wild trade Pouliot to Canadiens for Latendresse

The 23-year-old Pouliot has been one of a handful of first-round disappointments for the Wild in recent years after being taken fourth overall in 2005. Defenseman A.J. Thelen, drafted in 2004, never played for the team and 2006 pick James Sheppard, a center, has not developed as quickly as the team had hoped.

The 22-year-old Latendresse had two goals and an assist in 23 games for the Canadiens this season after averaging 15 goals over his first three seasons in Montreal, which drafted him in the second round in 2005.

Pouliot had two goals and two assists in 14 games this season, mostly at center. He's been out for the last week with a sprained wrist.

"Probably both players will benefit from a change of scenery," Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher said. "They're both young players that have had a lot of expectations on them. Sometimes players will work out better in certain spots."